Chapter 3: Book 3, chapter 2
Grinning ear to ear, Allison held her fiancé with a crushing embrace, uncaring of the dozens of onlookers. Yukna was laughing at something, her two guards standing a respectable distance behind them.
Zee, looking a bit dumbstruck approached the two, walking beside Malden and his escort. She wasn't sure how to feel about this unexpected development.
It wasn't a bad thing, just startling. Malden had no such qualms. "Hey Yukna, it's been a while," Malden said, waving at her casually.
"Oh, you are back, your highness. Did the trebuchets work according to plan?" Yukna asked, righting herself in Allison's embrace, and adjusting the glasses on her face.
"Yes, they worked fabulously. A much better range and firing speed than our enemies. Also, we only had seven of the weapons malfunction. "Malden said, nodding his head in respect.
Yukna pulled away from Allison's embrace, her brows knitted. "Do you have a report on all the malfunctions?" Yukna asked.
Malden tossed her a thick envelope, which Yukna caught deftly. "My head engineers took detailed reports of each weapon. Everything should be there for your perusal." Malden said.
Yukna smiled, turning from Malden to Zee, who was standing conspicuously to the side, uncertain of what to do.
"Oh, you must be Zee. I'm Ilyukana. But you can call me Yukna. Allie has told me so much about you."Yukna said. Much to her startlement, the woman walked over and hugged Zee. It was a surprisingly firm hug, the woman much stronger than she looked.
Zee was so startled that she just stood there, letting it happen. Yukna smelled of oil, and metal shavings, her skin bronzed from years under the sun's glare.
Zee cleared her throat uncomfortably, patting the slightly shorter woman's back awkwardly. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope Allison has only told you good things about me?" Zee asked.
Yukna released the hug and took a step back. The woman leaned forwards her eyes wide, adjusting her glasses excitedly. "She said you have a spirit companion that knows a lot about etching. I would love to exchange knowledge if he is willing."Yukna said.
Zee smiled at Yukna while glaring at Allison, who was pretending like the sky was suddenly super beautiful today.
"I will have to ask him, but I must warn you, he is a bit of a perfectionist," Zee said, well, and an ass, but she left that part out.
Yukna clapped her hands excitedly. "That's just perfect. Would you like to come back to our place? We can exchange ideas over lunch."Yukna said, her enthusiasm infectious.
"Of course. I would love to." Zee said.
Yukna waved at Malden, then pointed up the street. "Oh, Maldy. It looks like your escorts have arrived. You are welcome."Yukna said.
Malden shook his head in a mixture of exasperation and resigned defeat. "Father just can't leave me alone." Malden mutter.
"What's his problem?" Zee asked, watching the prince trudge up the street, looking less willing than the chained duke.
"Oh, that. He just hates parades is all." Allison said. Zee's attention snapped back to her friend.
"So engaged, hey? I don't recall you ever mentioning that." Zee asked, her tone accusing.
Allison flushed, her cheeks a bright crimson as Yukna and Zee both stared at her.
"It may have slipped my mind," Allison said weakly.
"No pie for her, I guess," Zee said.
"What pie?" Yukna asked.
"Well, I mean you can have some after I make it, though Allison doesn't get any," Zee said.
"Ohh. I know just the place to find some amazing fresh fruit. Come on."Yukna said, taking off down the street with a skip in her step.
Zee glanced back at Allison, who was watching the woman go with an uncharacteristic smile on her face.
"I like her," Zee said.
"Ya, she is pretty great, isn't she?" Allison said.
The markets of Carden were something else, making the markets in Porten look like a run-down line of stalls. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats were on display, the place bustling with activity.
Zee held back, walking with the two royal guards, giving Allison and Yukna some privacy. Or an illusion of privacy. Her spatial ripple skill didn't allow her to completely tune out their voices.
The two guards seemed well enough, though they spoke little. Both of them looked like grizzled veterans, though their style of dress was night and day.
One looked like he stumbled out of bed, tossed on the closest uniform he could find, and rushed to work.
While the other looked like he was prepping for a party, his fur perfectly combed, and his uniform pressed and spotless.
What was more curious was the fact they always spoke to Yukna with respect.
And it wasn't feigned respect. She could tell, as they didn't show her the same courtesy. They were polite, though she could sense the hostility behind their eyes.
After a while, she couldn't help but ask. "Why are you two guarding Yukna? Surely it isn't because she is Allison's fiancé, right? "Zee asked.
One of them, the more talkative and well-dressed of the two, snorted and said. "No. We are guarding her because her company is the biggest supplier of weapons and munitions in the kingdom."
Zee chewed on that for a bit, remembering Yukna talking with Malden about trebuchets. Well, she most certainly hadn't expected that. Today was just one of those days, full of surprises.
She wouldn't even be surprised if a lizard suddenly flew by. After they gathered some groceries, they went back to Allison's home. Well, home was putting it lightly. Mansion was the proper term Zee would use to describe it.
It was built halfway up the valley wall, with a stunning view overlooking the valley, the river, and the orchards.
Zee stood out on the balcony, gaping, watching the sun paint the sky orange and red as it set.
"What do you think of the view?" Allison asked, walking out of the sliding glass door onto the open balcony, two drinks in hand.
"It's a lovely view. You have a very nice home. Yukna is really nice as well." Zee said. Allison smiled, looking far happier than she had seen in months.
"Sorry about not telling you," Allison said, offering her one of the drinks. Zee took it, taking a sip of the fruity beverage.
"That's alright. Though I will get you back somehow." Zee said with a cheeky smile.
"I would expect nothing less." Allison laughed, shaking her head. Following her words, the princess let out a deep, wistful sigh.
"Not going to lie. I like Yukna a lot more than Stella," Zee said. Allison nodded.
"Me too. If I am being honest, I don't deserve her. Yukna is way too good for someone like me." Allison said, a bit of the darkness returning to her steely grey eyes.
"I don't know. I think you are a good person, though a bit too ruthless at times." Zee said, resting a hand on Allison's shoulder..
"I am the one who is the monster here," Zee said softly.
Allison shook her head. "Having Dern in your head does not make you a monster. No more than having a sword makes you a murderer." Allison said.
Zee had, of course, told Allison about Dern being a soul-sucking monster.
"So, what do you think? Are you willing to let him spend some time with Yukna?" Zee asked.
Allison fidgeted with her white hair, deep in thought. "That depends. Is he willing to play nice?" Allison asked, an edge to her voice.
"Here, ask him yourself," Zee said, conjuring the spirit into her palm. Dern appeared with a puff of silver, blue and violet mist. He stood on the palm of her hand, like a small intricate set of full plate armor, holding a tall glaive.
The odd part was definitely the lack of a head and the spiritual energy that swirled around the armor. Well, and the fact that she could see an eternal nothingness when she tried to look inside.
It was like she was staring into the abyss. Dern leaped off her palm onto the railing, balancing precariously. "Wow, he is actually kind of cute when he is that small," Allison said, reaching out to touch him.
Zee watched on with great amusement, knowing exactly what was going to happen next.
"Shit! The little bastard just stabbed my finger." Allison said, shaking her hand, blood tricking down her finger.
"That's what you get for calling me cute," Dern said, projecting his mental voice.
Allison froze, glancing from Zee to the spirit balancing on the railing. "He can talk to me?" Allison asked, startled.
"Yup," Zee said, taking a sip of her drink.
"When did that happen?" Allison asked.
"When I ranked up. It's the third effect of my summon skill." Zee said.
"That was a month ago?" Allison asked.
"I guess I must have forgotten to tell you," Zee said, nodding sagely, enjoying the sweet revenge.
"What else did you get from your rank up?" Allison asked.
"Hmm, I don't know. Someone forgot to tell me they are in a relationship, much less engaged. I think I should make you wait a while longer to tell you." Zee said.
Allison rolled her eyes. "You are never going to let that go, are you?" Allison asked.
Zee shrugged, smelling a delicious aroma wafting out through the large glass doors onto the balcony.
"Ohh, that smells amazing. Shall we go help Yukna with the cooking?" Zee asked, deftly dodging Allision's inquiry.
Allison gave her a sheepish smile. "I am actually banished to the balcony for burning the soup," Allison said.
"Let me guess, you got impatient and tried to heat it up with your fire?" Zee asked, a laugh escaping her lips.
Allison pouted. "It should have been fine. I didn't use that much energy to conjure the heat." Allison said.
"Uh, huh. Just like when you tried to dry my uniform?" Zee asked, walking back into the kitchen.
Yukna stood over the stove, short and wiry, her short brown falling around her expressive face.
"Allie is lying. She almost set the kitchen on fire," Yukna said, stirring a pot of boiling soup.
Allison, nearly a head taller than Yukna walked over and wrapped her in a hug from behind. "Don't be like that. It wasn't that bad." Allison said.
Yukna waved her spatula through the air, gesturing toward a charred-looking pot still smoking on the other counter.
"Don't let her cute face and pleasant words fool you. This is why king Bethel sent Pierre with her, so she wouldn't burn the city down."Yukna said.
Allison stiffened at the comment, a fact that didn't go unnoticed. Yukna set down her spatula and turned to Allison, looking up into those tear-filled grey eyes.
"I'm sorry, dear," Yukna said, leaning her head on Allison's shoulder, arms around her waist, hugging the princess tightly.
"It's alright," Allison said, though she most certainly was not alright.
"Excuse me, I'm going to go use the restroom," Allison said, leaving the kitchen.
Zee walked over and sat on a stool at the table, sitting across the island counter from Yukna.
The woman was standing next to the stove, with a troubled look on her face.
"Allie won't tell me what happened to him but I know it must have been bad. We have been communicating over COMM crystals, but I feel she hasn't been telling me everything." Yukna said, slowly stirring the soup.
Zee fidgeted with her drink, looking down into the fruity liquid, a pit settling in her stomach.
Zee took a deep steadying breath. "I don't want to get into detail. The scene of his death was, horrible. It looked like he had been put through weeks of torcher before he died..."Zee said softly.
Yukna's expression fell. "That's what I feared. Have you talked with her about it?" Yukna asked.
Zee spun her glass on the marble counter nervously, focusing on the orange liquid inside. "I tried, but I don't know how to help. I don't even know how to deal with all the crap I have been through," Zee said.
Yukna smiled softly at her. "Allie has told me much of what you two have been through. She sees you as a close friend. If you ever need someone to talk to, I am here." Yukna said.
"Thank you," Zee said, uncomfortable with the subject.
Allison returned a few minutes later, looking much better, though Zee knew it was only a mask. She had, of course, sensed Allison with her spatial ripple, crying in the bathroom.
She didn't comment, pretending as if it had never happened. Allison was just in time, as the baked buns and the soup were finished. The pie was still cooking, needing a bit longer to get crispy.
The heavy mood faded as they ate, the bright atmosphere quickly returning.
"That's delicious. Is this your recipe?" Yukna asked, taking another bite of yellowberry pie.
Zee actually had no idea what type of berry they were, but they tasted good, so she figured they would make a good pie.
"Ya. Well, uh, sort of. I am using the method my mom taught me, though a different type of fruit, obviously." Zee said.
"I love it. Can I have the recipe?" Yukna asked.
"Of course. I have several other recipes I can show you as well." Zee said..
"Your family must be big on pies," Yukna said.
"Ya, Dad loves his pie, and Mom loves to make them," Zee said wistfully..
"Where are you from? I have never actually heard your accent before?" Yukna asked.
Zee glanced from Yukna to Allison, uncertain of what she should say. Allison shrugged as if to say, up to you.
"I am from the Lorocan empire." Zee then pointed to Dern, who was sneaking across the counter. "And Dern is from the abyss, I think. He is a soul-sucking monster." Zee said, taking another spoonful of soup.
Dern froze, having been caught snooping around.
"Is she serious?" Yukna asked, eying the fist-sized Dern skeptically.
"About what part?" Allison asked
"All of it?"Yukna said.
"All of it is true. Well, aside from Dern being from the Abyss. I think she was just trying to make him sound scarier by adding in that part." Allison said.
"Spoilsport. The Abyss sounds way scarier than the spirit plane. "Zee said.
Dern, having lost the element of surprise, approached the oven top more directly. He gazed down at the etchings on the stove top seeming curious.
"This is pretty good work," Dern said, his words echoing in her mind, despite the fact he was outside her body.
"Who said that?" Yukna asked, glancing around, startled.
Zee pointed a spoon over at Dern, who was studying the etchings on the stovetop.
"That would be him," Zee said, more interested in her food than what Dern was doing.
"Woah. Is that your spirit companion? He is so cute." Yukna said standing up and walking over to peer down at Dern's small form.
"What kind of spirit is he?" Yukna asked, excitedly, reaching down to poke him.
"I am standing right here," Dern said, his glaive held casually at his side as she poked him on the chest plate.
"Oh, right, sorry,"Yukna said pulling her hand back.
"Soo, Uh, what do you think of my etching work?"Yukna asked.
"It's not bad. Some of your techniques are very interesting indeed." Dern said, projecting his voice into her mind..
Zee slowly tuned them out as they start chatting about etching and other boring stuff.
She narrowed her eyes at Dern, uncertain why he was showing Yukna so much preference. Unlike Allison, and even herself, Dern hadn't poked the woman with his glaive for calling him cute, and even touching him.
Now that was just favoritism at its finest, and she didn't like it.
Zee finished her soup and was on her fifth toasted bun. Chewing on the delicious, crispy bread, she walked over to Yukna and Dern. It wasn't because she had much interest in etchings, her focus was on the oven.
"Ummm, excuse me, the second pie is burning," Zee said, casually.
"Ohh, crap,"Yukna said, scrambling to get the oven mitts and taking out the slightly burned pie.
Yukna gave her a guilty look. "Sorry I wrecked your pie."
"It's not that bad. With Allison around, I am used to eating burned things." Zee said, mischievously.
Yukna nodded sagely.
"I can see that. It's why I don't let her cook anything more complicated than toast."Yukna said with a cheeky wink.
Allison glared at them both, still sitting at the island table.
Zee covered her mouth, whispering loudly. "Don't let her do your laundry either. She will set your clothes on fire."
"She didn't?" Yukna asked, her eyes wide.
"Oh yes, she did. My uniform smelled like burned fabric for days after." Zee said.
"Sometimes I wish I left you behind, in Porten," Allison muttered.
"Don't be like that love. She is adorable."Yukna said.
"You only say that because Zee keeps siding with you," Allison said, taking a bite of her soup.
Zee butted in. "That's because Yukna is a lot nicer than you and prettier," Zee said.
"Awee, you are so sweet. You wouldn't happen to be looking for a new employer would you."Yukna asked, giving her a devious smile.
"Yuky... Don't you dare steal my only guard," Allison said.
Zee laughed, noting Yukna's teasing grin. The lighthearted banter was nice. Zee couldn't remember the last time she had so much fun.
Over the course of the next few hours, she could see much of Allison's stress falling away. The drinks, the food, and the company were doing wonders for her friend.
Eventually, she could see that they were both tired, so she got up to leave.
"It's getting late, I best be going," Zee said, giving them both a friendly smile.
Yukna stood from the couch, leaving Allison's side.
"You are staying in the basement sweet are you not?"Yukna asked her question more of a statement.
Zee glanced at Allison, uncertainly. The princess yawned and shrugged.
"Thank you, but I wouldn't want to impose on your hospitality any further," Zee said.
"Nonsense. You are a guest. Come, I will show you to your rooms."Yukna said, gesturing her to follow.
Rooms were an understatement. When Yukna said rooms she meant almost the entire basement.
They walked down the carpeted stairs into a wide open room with large windows overlooking the valley.
The room had a large indoor pool, with what she bet was an amazing view in the daytime. The edge of the pool was lined with soft chairs, couches, and even a bar stocked with racks of wine.
Yukna yawned, rubbing at her eyes, gesturing over the pool.
"You can stay in the room on the right. The door on the left is my personal workshop. The door on the other side of the pool leads to Allies training room."Yukna said.
"Thank you," Zee said.
"You are welcome. Feel free to use the kitchen upstairs if you get hungry." Yukna said, yawning again.
"Thank you again for being such a gracious host. I will settle myself in." Zee said, trying to be as courteous as possible. She wasn't sure if she was doing it properly, but she did her best.
Yukna nodded before walking back up the stairs to the main floor.
Zee focused back on her surroundings, walking around the pool, to the room Yukna pointed out was hers. She flung open the wooden door, noting a two-person bed, and a nightstand.
What made her most excited was the tub. Sure there was a large pool just outside the door but she doubted the owners would want her using it to bathe.
Zee tossed her small pack at the foot of the bed, the light satchel thudding on the tile floor. Time for a hot bath. She luxuriated in a tub full of steaming water for about an hour, before settling under the blankets.
Sinking into the soft mattress, she wiggled under the silky sheets, letting out a happy sigh.
This was way better than sleeping aboard a smelly, crowded, rocking ship. Well, she didn't really sleep, but that didn't mean she wanted to cultivate while uncomfortable.
Zee focused inward, the vibrant colors of the world river coming into focus. The world river raged around her, though the energy density of the river was thin.
In comparison to her home, this planet was like an energy desert, the energy sparse, and thin.
She pulled some of it in, thin streamers of energy entering through cracks in her aura. She carefully guided the impure energy through her body not letting any leak from her mental grip, creating a whirlpool in her mind. The whirlpool funneled into the obsidian splinter in her head, where it would be slowly purified.
The splinter pulsed, a wave of pure energy washing out through her body. As always, a small trickle enter the blue engravings etched all over her splinter.
She assumed that energy was going to Dern. As the wave of energy was pushed outward, more of the pulse was absorbed as it passed by her heart, getting pulled in by the ever-burning flame.
With each passing day, the little flame burned a tiny bit brighter, growing larger as well. Zee wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not, but it seemed fine.
So far, the ever-burning flame seemed good all around, both speeding up her reaction time, and her energy recovery.
If that tiny flame getting bigger meant it was even better, she needed to take every chance she could to cultivate it.
Once it passed the flame in her chest, the wave of pure energy finally stopped just inside her skin, contained by her aura.
After months of cultivating, and not releasing any of the energy, she was surrounded by a dense haze.
Some of that haze leaked back into her body, slowly purifying and strengthening her. Slowly was the key. Over time she could force all that energy back inside, having a much greater energy supply, and improving her body immensely.
But rushing was a good way to poison herself and die. It would be a few more months before she could compress her aura the last two inches.
She fell into the soothing cycle of drawing in energy and letting it be purified. Like always, time seemed to flash by while she was in this state.
It was almost just like sleep, though she maintained some awareness of her surroundings. Ever since she got her spatial ripple skill, that awareness included looking and listening through walls, even if she didn't want to.
It was a weird feeling, one that was uncomfortable, given that the other people in the house were up to some embarrassing things.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone